Bob Marley :: Birthday Tribute

Today we celebrate the life and work of Bob Marley, born on this day 67 years ago(6 February 1945 – 11 May 1981). So much has been said about Marley, and his impact on this world. Personally, I'll never forget the day I was walking on a beach in South East Asia, chatting with a local in a little fishing town. This place barely had electricity or paved roads. He didn't speak my language, and I didn't speak his. Within minutes, though, he said the name Bob Marley, and began singing Stir it Up. We both smiled, and shared some time quietly singing lines back and forth to each other. To have a moment of clear communication like that while visiting the other side of the world blew my mind. Marley's legacy is undeniable, as his music is magically capable of simultaneously serving as a celebration of spirit, expression of love, and spark for revolution.

Below you will find a documentary on the making of the album "To Catch A Fire". Its long, but well worth your time. Great footage of The Wailers back in the day, and great dissection of the legendary tracks on this album. Its crazy to me that the album only sold 14k copies in its first year.



Here are a couple of my favorite Marley tracks for your listening/downloading pleasure.

High Tide or Low Tide


Mr. Chatterbox


Slave Driver (Jamaican Version)


One Drop

Top 10 Playlist Vol. 3

Hello all! Here is the 3rd installment of the top 10 playlist. These tracks have a bit of everything, and highlight some fantastic live performances. Thanks to all you out there shooting me suggestions. Keep the recommendations coming. Enjoy.



Music Playlist at MixPod.com

"Percumajor" & "Pon de Floor"- Major Lazer, "Hold Yuh"- Gyptian (Major Lazer remix),

This weekend I'll be enjoying myself at the North Coast Festival at Union Park, here in sweltering hot Chicago. This will be only the second iteration of this event and features an impressive line-up of mostly electronic or hip-hop influenced groups (http://www.northcoastfestival.com/). Main acts include David Guetta, Wiz Khalifa, Thievery Corporation, and Fatboy Slim. The groups I'm most excited for are Little Dragon (see earlier blog post), Common, and Major Lazer.



Major Lazer, a collaborative project from DJ's Diplo & Switch, highlights dancehall reggae beats and vocals, with noticeable hints of house, soca, oldies, jazz and R&B. The result? High-energy, thumping, musical party starters. Perfect for a huge crowd of overexposed, under-hydrated, sweaty festival-goers who want nothing more than to dance their faces off.

The group has produced a wonderful mixtape called "Lazerproof" with La Roux, and a full length album in 2009 called "Guns don't Kill People...Lazers Do". For the album the duo moved to Jamaica, to immerse themselves in the many sub genres of the dancehall world. I have often argued that there is no better type of music to get people groovin' than dancehall. After checking out these songs I hope you not only agree, but join me on the floor come Saturday afternoon.

This track, "Pon de Floor" has one of the strangest, raunchiest, and entertaining videos I have ever seen. If you want an example of the Jamaican dance style, "stabbin", go on the internet and find it. Below is the track.





This Major Lazer remix was the first thing I heard from the duo. I loved it, and promptly went out and bought the original song by Gyptian as well. Check out both below.